NEPD Mailbag: Too Long For Twitter

What could the Patriots get for their first two picks? Who’s my dream pick to fall in the first round? Where would Quinton Coples fit with the Patriots?

Those are some of the questions I’ll be answering in my weekly “Too Long For Twitter” Friday mailbag where I take questions from Twitter that warrant, deserve or need answers longer than 140 characters

If you have a question about anything, tweet it to me @DougKyedNEPD, and I’ll try to include it in the column on Friday. If you aren’t on Twitter, feel free to throw in a question in the comments section.

@B_International@DougKyedNEPD if patriots move down (or into 2013) w 1 of their 1st or 2nd round picks what is the value they can get in 2012/2013?

If the Pats move down with their 27th pick into the top 10 of the 2nd round, they should be able to get that 2nd round pick and a future 2nd round pick.

If they move into the 10-20 range in the 2nd round, it would likely be that 2nd round pick, a future 2nd, plus one or two later round picks, or swaps of picks.

If they move into the 20-32 range, they could be looking at that 2nd round pick, a future first and potentially some later round picks or same round swaps.

In a perfect world, they’re either able to trade up, or trade both picks down. They could trade 27 for a top 10 pick in round two, while also acquiring the 2013 2nd round pick. Then they could trade 31 for a bottom ten pick, grab the first rounder next year and maybe grab a couple later round picks.

There’s a lot of flexibility in April, and I think the last thing that’s going to happen is them completely staying put.

@JFossick@DougKyedNEPD I think NE’s gonna double dip on defense in the 1st round. Sanu just ran a 4.41 and I was wondering if theyd pick him in 2nd

I still don’t see Sanu as being worth the 2nd round pick for the Patriots. The Patriots have got the shallow and shallow middle of the field pretty well covered with Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker. Anthony Gonzalez, if he makes the team, should also be running routes in that same area.

With Brandon Lloyd’s personality still a bit of a question mark, I think the Patriots should still be concentrating on drafting a WR who can work the sidelines in the intermediate to deep portion of the field.

Once a guy runs at the combine, I pay very little attention to what he does in his pro day. The first numbers that come out for a guy at the combine are hand timed, so those are the times I’m looking at. If you watch the tape, there’s no way that Sanu is a 4.41 guy. He has trouble getting separation, and he lacks any semblance of big play ability. Pro day tracks for 40 times are always fast.

Sanu’s closest player comp might be Aaron Hernandez, and even so, he lacks the after the catch playmaking ability that Hernandez does. It’s tough to find anyone that has moves immediately after the catch like Aaron Hernandez.

That line will create problems for everyone, but I’m not particularly worried about how the Pats will defend them. The Patriots are incredibly smart when it comes to drafting, signing and developing offensive linemen.

Me and Mike talked about it on the podcast last night, but even with rumors of Matt Light and Brian Waters retiring, Sebastian Vollmer’s back issues and Logan Mankins’ ACL surgery the Patriots are STILL in good shape for next season.

27 Responses to “NEPD Mailbag: Too Long For Twitter”

Another thing, or player, that’s come to mind concerning all these “can’t miss” D-lineman is Ron Brace and that draft pick. He was drafted right where he was supposed to be…looks the part, etc…But, he can’t seem to find the field; essentially, and fast approaching, bust status.

So, who of these d-lineman in this years draft is going to be a bust, or someone just not that good?

It’s a tricky business…they may have Worthy as their 9th best players and Reyes as a 3rd rounder for all we know. We listen to NFL and others and all these guys are lumped (no pun) together as obvious very good players going forward.

This just isn’t reality…a long shot that it’s the case.

For example, is Reyes better than Love, or Pryor (a nice player when healthy)? Is Cox better than Worthy? Is Poe really a top half of the draft player? Will Brokers be a JAG in 3 seasons???

I haven’t seen enough of Quick…just a little watching highlights, and I believe the Senior Bowl. I’ve liked McNutt since watching his highlights a few months ago when I started watching these guys play.

I’ve been thinking BB will be looking for some explosion on special teams…as far as returns. A dynamic player…not going to call him a luxury pick, but close to that seeing how deep this team is getting.
I see Rainey as a 3rd round option, but that’s just throwing something out there…he has that pure game speed and quicks…position flexibility and Florida connection.

Here’s another reason why I’m high on Randle. We’ve discussed the obvious, that McDaniels seems to have some increased say in who he brings in…couple that with the fact that they (BB) have struck out on trying to find WR’s in the past years…missed big…trying to find value and ended up wasting good draft picks.
Maybe they see the value, love the player, see the fit, and pull the trigger; also not liking the value of some of the talent lying around at the end of the first as far as D-line, or whatever, or if they kick back to the top of the 2nd, which I could easily see happening.

I’ll agree with 100% on Sanu….ok?
I was kind of high on him also, but I don’t see the fit for all the reasons you stated.
I’m going to go obnoxious now and say once again: my guy is LSU WR Randle….perfect fit…come in with no pressure and learn from the best.

Question: How long can BB mess with Ocho? Meaning, how long can we keep him here and screw with where he ends up next year?
I’m guessing he doesn’t come back at all, and would be happy to see the team cut him now; but, I would also love to see them string him along the way he screwed things up for us last season…bring him to camp…run his ass off, and cut him right before the season, or keep him inactive the whole season.
Let him do his self-promotion …no room for clowns on this team.

I think the way things will work out is that the Pats will keep him until they start making cuts in the preseason since there’s no benefit to cutting him until then. They have the cap, so why not make him compete and allow the young guys to prove themselves also.

BB has always shown a tendency to allow young players to make the cut over vet’s who think their roster spot is a lock…(see Haynesworth, Merriweather, Sanders)

I have to disagree about Sanu–he may not be a burner, but his game speed is much better than what he showed at the Combine (but probably not as quick as a 4.41). Either way, he moves very well, and gets separation with quickness and smarts. Add the height in, and I think he definitely has some potential outside the numbers, even if he isn’t a “deep threat” per se. I’d be very happy to see the Pats come away with him in the second round (though I’d prefer Kendall Wright in the first).

There are better options for the Pats offense than Sanu, who have less hype coming in, and better speed.

I like Sanu’s hands…but other than that he doesn’t possess enough skill to be a 2nd round pick. To me he simply would fill the same role of Welker, just bigger. Not the type of player we need to target with Welker, Edelman and Gonzalez already on the roster…and he doesn’t bring any ST’s ability either so there’s limited opportunity to get him on the game day roster.

If Light & Waters retire I see the line as you do with one slight difference…Cannon stepping in as the RG, with Solder at LT and Vollmer at RT (or vice/versa…no big deal to me). Obviously, Mankins at LG and Connolly at center…Gallery the insurance and flexible player who may have to start the season at LG for Mankins, but I doubt it will come to that.
I’m with you on trusting in Dante…no need to worry, but the key is Vollmer’s back…if he’s healthy (which I heard he was) we’re ok.
I’m making a guess that Light is gone…seeing that Mr. Kraft nearly broke down last night on TV when asked, don’t tell him about any surprise b-day parties…but, I’m thinking Waters comes back to try and win a Super Bowl, especially with all these very strong moves in the off season and coming so close last year. If he comes back we’re that much stronger…Cannon can be the first guy off the bench at RG or RT.

I read that what you said about Vollmer and his back…I was just going over it again with my own thoughts.
I understand Cannon helped out at tackle last year…he looked good; especially considering. I still think he may be pushed inside to guard…he was desperately needed at tackle.
I don’t think it’s unusual that he move around at the beginning of his career; if he shows he has the feet to be at RT then we’re better off…it’s a more valuable position.
I’m just speculating…I still see him as a powerhouse guard in the long-run.

I don’t think the Pats use of Cannon as a tackle last year speaks to what they “see” him as, so much as what he already knew, and what they could use him for in such limited time that he had been healthy and activated.

The Patriots also “SEE” Mankins as a LG, but he played LT for the first time since College last year because that’s what they needed him to play.

I still think the Pats will use Cannon as a OT depth option, but what they SEE him as is an OG. What he played last year is as irrelevant as the snaps that Edelman played as a CB or Slater played at Safety.

There’s a lot to comment on, but I’ll start with doubting Perry is a big option for BB…I don’t see him taking a USC player, even if there’s some kind of fit and the kid is a special athlete. I think he would drop back or just go with someone like Still or some other big body.

Coples:

I don’t like this player. I realize he’s tops on everyone’s rankings at DE, but I hate the fact that he didn’t show up in games and now is suddenly turning it on (payday!). I listened to the kid at the Senior Bowl doing an interview and I wanted to slap him…he’s a goofball. I don’t want a DE who has shown he won’t put in effort during games, comes from the most currupt program in recent NCAA memory (that’s saying a lot!), and acts like a clown.
Your evaluation of his flexibility is odd also…he’s a straight 4-3 DE…period. He’s nothing else; so, very easy…he’s not a fit here…no way he can play OLB or 5-tech.
He’s probably a good kid…but, he’ll be long gone probably…someone will take him that plays a 4-3 and maybe he grows up and continues the hard work he’s shown through this important off season.
Bottom line, there’s no way I see us trading up to get him.

Good info…thanks.
I like Griffen myself and was shocked when he slid. (when did he go?); and I wish I knew how he has done in the pros…haven’t followed at all.
I do think this kid is a huge talent, but he did bag it, and he comes from that UNC mess. They have had more top draft picks in the last few years….they must have been giving out big bucks…pretty obvious.
And, I was going nuts over Robert Quinn; I thought he was a much better prospect than Coples…far more flexible and athletic.
I still only see this guy as a 4-3 end, and some top 10 team, and into low teens, will have to make a decision (gamble) on taking him, or going with a stud like DeCastro. I’d go with DeCastro all day long.

When it comes to this position for us I do like Mercilus, but I’d prefer Branch. Branch has the flexibility and speed around the corner… a real athlete, and I think he could learn to drop back etc…I’d go with him and he should be there, possibly.